Image © Healy Racing
Toni Quail is continuing along her road to recovery, after the suffering a cruel twist of fate, when seriously injured in a fall at Punchestown in June, just 24 hours after she had received the p2p.ie Champion lady rider trophy at the annual GAIN Point-to-Point Awards in Kilkenny.
Quail, who has previously represented Ireland at the European Junior Eventing Championships, sustained neck and back fractures in the fall, breaking C1 and C2 in her neck and T5, T6 and T7 in her back when her mount Queenofthelodge fell at the first obstacle in the INHSC Ladies Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday, June 8th.
“I remember we were all pushing for position down at the start, and I just wanted to get a good jump,” she recalls. “She came up and just dived through it, and I went headfirst into the ground.”
Remarkably, surgery was not required. Quail spent ten days in Tallaght Hospital and was fitted with a Halo brace to stabilise her injuries.
“I was lucky,” she says. “The Halo worked, so I didn’t have to go through surgery. I had it on for three months, then a neck collar for another three, and now I’m slowly weaning off that.”
Now 27, Quail is well into her rehabilitation and currently living back in Downpatrick.
Still unable to drive, she travels by train to Kildare up to three days a week, where she attends physiotherapy and gym sessions under the guidance of Dr Jennifer Pugh.
She cannot praise her physiotherapists Gavin and Alannah, and her gym coach Wayne at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), highly enough.
Still unable to drive, she travels by train to Kildare up to three days a week, where she attends physiotherapy and gym sessions under the guidance of Dr Jennifer Pugh.
She cannot praise her physiotherapists Gavin and Alannah, and her gym coach Wayne at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), highly enough.
“They’ve been brilliant. The physio team and gym staff have been so positive and helpful. I’m just taking it day by day.
"Once I’m fully out of the collar, I’ll start a proper 12-week strengthening programme to build myself back up.”
"Once I’m fully out of the collar, I’ll start a proper 12-week strengthening programme to build myself back up.”
Despite the long road to recovery, Quail remains upbeat and determined to return to the saddle.
“I’m itching to get back. They haven’t given me a timescale, but in my own head, I’d love to be back around January, even if it’s just being back in the yard or going racing again. It’s hard watching from the sidelines when the yard is absolutely flying.”
Although Quail hasn’t been able to visit Sam Curling’s yard much since the accident, she has stayed closely connected to the sport.
“I haven’t been down in Skehanagh since the summer, but I went to my first point-to-point at Damma House with my friends Hannah Phillips and Georgie Benson, who had both rides that day.
"It was lovely to be back in the weigh-room with everyone – it was nice just to sit there and soak it all in again.
"It was lovely to be back in the weigh-room with everyone – it was nice just to sit there and soak it all in again.
“I follow all of Sam’s horses closely too, especially the ones I’ve ridden. It’s great to see them improving and winning again.”
Her time on the sidelines has given her a chance to reflect on what was a remarkable season.
“Winning the title meant everything. I never thought it would happen to me. It’s been hard not being able to enjoy it properly with the injury, but I’m proud of what I achieved. The yard was flying, and I’m grateful to Sam for all the support and trust he gave me.”
Quail formed a particularly successful partnership last season with Cosmic Blizzard, one of several Curling-trained horses to provide her with key victories.
“Cosmic Blizzard at Necarne was probably my favourite,” she recalls. “He was brilliant that day. He jumped great, travelled, and just kept finding. It was one of those rides you don’t forget.”
Her partnership with Sam Curling remains a cornerstone of her career.
“I’ve been there four years now. Sam’s been incredible to work for and put huge trust in me, sending me to the sales, giving me great rides, and backing me all the way. I’ll always be grateful for that. Hopefully, he can go on and win the handlers’ title this year.”
Through all of this, Quail credits her family and partner for keeping her grounded and supported.
“My mum Donna, my dad Brian, and my cousin Ashling were all unbelievable when I was in the Halo. My cousin came to wash my hair every day, and my boyfriend Brendan Leahy, who works with Sam, has been a massive help too. I wouldn’t have got through it without them.”
The enforced break has done little to dull her motivation.
“I’ve been on a horse for as long as I can remember, probably been riding since before I could walk and this is the first time I’ve been off one for six months. What keeps me going is the drive to get back. It’s what I love, and I’m determined to get there again.”
In terms of future goals, Quail is taking one day at a time.
“The short-term goal is to get strong, get back riding out, and just be part of the team again. Long term, I’d love to race-ride again and get back in the winner's enclosure. That’s the dream.”
“The short-term goal is to get strong, get back riding out, and just be part of the team again. Long term, I’d love to race-ride again and get back in the winner's enclosure. That’s the dream.”
